I sang a little while and then flew on.

The middle night of the renowned, 3-day Alpine run; probably the best run of the '88-'89 period. The machine took over the stage all three dates and this is where the boys started mastering their latest toys. Most of the previous night was released as the Downhill from Here DVD. This night was shown in theaters in 2012. It's the minimal of the three, but only by comparison - it's a good show on its own.

1st set. Starts with yr average Touch opener. It's no indication of what's going to come by the time you get the bashing Pair of Jacks: the 1st Jack in a best-of-89 and the latter in a version comparable to 5/21/77 and 6/08/77! Minglewood is good because of its momentum. It crackles (T right here in Alpine Valley). FotD is a best-of-era - I'd venture best of '88-'89. It's a great set.

2nd set. Note the sequence. It seemed very playful at the time, opening with Sugar Mag, and though it's not the best rendering of that song, tranny fans will go agog at the door-slam-abrupt entry into Scarlet. It's redolent of when older bands, tired of their hits, proffer a casual-fan-appeasing medley - but in a funny way, since this isn't a hits band - albeit jarring, despite a smooth walk. Rather than the band, it takes the Heads a moment to catch up to what just happened! Clearly planned. Everybody is speedy throughout; especially check Phil's approach here. For those tired of the usual segue to Fire, Dewiminna is a perfect pairing. I mean, c'mon: Sugar>Scarlet>Dewiminna>Eyes to open the 2nd?? This is party Dead. (The last one has another crazy, concise segue). Bobby wants to go into Terrapin after Space but Jer takes it into China Doll. 5 (count 'em: 5!) songs after Space with Sugar Mag bookending the entire set, but it's the first half of this set that stands out.

1st Set:  B
2nd Set: B-
Overall = 3½ stars

Highlights:
Jack Straw
Jack-a-Roe - both Jacks excellent
Minglewood - showpiece
Friend of the Devil - great version
Sugar Mag>Scarlet>Man Smart>Eyes - the meat

17th - Most consistent overall - 4½ stars
18th - Variable, with the great 1st set streak and most interesting 2nd set - 3½ stars
19th - Best 1st set - 4 stars
'89 Landmarks from this Run:
China>Rider - 17th
Friend - 18th
Scarlet - 18th
Althea - 19th

SOURCES: I like the brantley28474 source. It was used for a great hansokolow matrix.

As I type, 4/20/12, this show was just aired natiowide in theatres for 1 night, 4/19/12, and will soon be available in dvd format. Hope you went to your local theatre to catch this legendary show. Does not get any better than Alpine '89...They were smokin hot that weekend for sure. Peace, Salmon Will,

First person to write a review?!?! How is this possible? This show is the best of the 7/17, 7/18, 7/19 run of Alpine Valley in '89. It may just be that nobody has written a review yet, but the other shows have had a lot of feedback as they should since they are awesome shows as well. 1989 was such a fantastic year. Tough > Jack Straw was always something I enjoyed, and the Sugar Magnolia and Sunshine Daydream as bookends for the second set is a cool concept. Happy listening.